[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            RECOGNIZING ANNA AMERICA LaROSA'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2025

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ann Laughlin, 
an outstanding constituent from my district who recently celebrated her 
100th birthday. Born on January 13, 1925, in the Bronx, New York, Ann's 
parents had recently arrived in the United States from Italy. As was 
the custom of her family, being the first-born daughter, she was named 
Anna, followed by the country of birth: Anna America LaRosa. Ann had 
one brother, Jack, and the family eventually settled in Bucks County.
  Ann's father, Frank, was forever grateful for the freedom and 
opportunities he found in America. He loved this country and passed 
along that love to Ann, who proudly flew an American flag from her 
Doylestown balcony for many years. Ann learned important life lessons 
from her father during their many weekend excursions around New York 
City. He taught her compassion and an understanding of others, which 
are evident in the fine person she is today.
  Ann graduated from Trenton High School and soon began working in 
Philadelphia where she met her husband, Hodge. On March 26, 1949, they 
eloped, beginning their life together. Their first home was in 
Philadelphia where their son Richard was born. In 1958, they moved to 
Levittown, Pennsylvania where they formed many lifelong friendships.
  Ann has two grandchildren, Scott and Madeline. Ann loves to exchange 
photos and texts messages with her family and many friends. She is an 
avid reader of biographies and the newspaper, and she loves to watch 
old movies; both are habits she learned from her father.
  As we celebrate her 100 years of life, we are grateful for the 
wonderful example of how to live life that she has shown to all who 
know her.

                          ____________________